Rivers Heritage Site & Orchard (RHSO)

There are almost 600 fruit trees in Rivers Orchard, comprising of apples, pears, plums, gages, cherries and one young apricot.In this rich heritage there are 76 different varieties of apples. 220 of these are established alongside 78 younger trees. In ‘The Apple Book’, Rosie Sanders describes 144 varieties in full detail with illustrations. 44 of these can be found in Rivers Orchard. Other interesting varieties in the orchard include: Pitmaston Pineapple, Beauty of Bath, Ecklinville Seedling and Annie Elizabeth.

Apples raised by Rivers include: Rivers Early Peach, Prince Edward, Thomas Rivers and Rivers Nonsuch.There are 45 mature pear trees alongside 53 young trees. Varieties include: Conference, Concorde, Fertility, Merton Pride, Doyenne de Comice, Magnate, Louise Bonne d’Avranches and Glou Morceau.There are 96 established plum, damson and gage trees with 24 young trees. Included are Czar, Monarch, River’s Early Prolific, Rivers’ Early Transparent, Merryweather and Rivers’ Late Orange.Many of the Cherry varieties have not yet been identified, although there are 65 established trees and 22 younger ones.All trees in the orchard are organically cultivated and newer stock is obtained from very reputable, respected sources.

More information about the orchard can be found on the East of England Apples and Orchard Project website who have assisted the progress of the orchard over many years. Please Click Here EEAOP to go to their website

Please note: Access to the Rivers Heritage and Orchard Site is a Permissive Right that has been granted to the committee of the RHSO group by the landowner.

On the first Sunday of every month the Rivers Heritage Site & Orchard group of volunteers hold a maintenance day for local people to get involved and learn new skills in orchard maintenance. If you are interested in finding out more then please email:

rhso1725@gmail.com .................or come along on the day and discover a whole new activity